Free The Lost Treasure of Tuckernuck by Emily Fairlie Page B

said. Suddenly he was struck with inspiration. “Do you?”
    Calliope nodded and smiled again. She didn’t even seem ready to rush off or anything. Bud took that as a sign. “Could you snag me a piece of music paper? A blank piece. I just … I don’t want to go down there right now. That teacher wants me to do chorus.”
    Calliope looked over Bud’s shoulder and nodded knowingly. “Miss Downey. Makes sense. Hold on one sec.”
    Calliope turned, trotted down the hallway, and disappeared into a classroom. In a second she was back, holding out a piece of music paper.
    â€œThanks, Calliope. You’re the best.” Bud reached for the paper, but just as his hand closed around it, Calliope snatched it out of Bud’s reach.
    â€œNot so fast, Bud. What’s this for?” Calliope smiled again, but it didn’t seem like such a friendly smile anymore. “Just curious.”
    Bud hesitated. It’s not like he could tell her. Calliope’s name had been specifically mentioned in the don’t-tell-anyone instructions. Laurie would kill him. And besides, Calliope seemed a little more than “just curious.” More like cats are “just curious” about what mice are up to. But he had to say something. “I … it’s nothing. Just …”
    â€œDoes it have something to do with Laurie Madison?”
    Bud sucked in his breath and cursed his lousy poker face as Calliope smirked triumphantly. He knew he’d probably just given away the whole game. But it’s not like he would just spill the beans now.
    â€œNo. It’s, uh …” He searched wildly for a plausible explanation. “It’s the auditions. I’m working on something. I really am auditioning, see. I was just pretending before.”
    Calliope’s eyes narrowed. “I didn’t see your name on the sign-up list.”
    Bud attempted a nonchalant laugh but ended up making a weird squeaking sound instead. “Yeah, I’m shy, okay? And I’m still working on my piece. That’s why I need the paper—to work things out. Thanks, bye!” He snatched the paper out of Calliope’s hand and dashed off down the hallway.
    Once he’d rounded the corner, Bud tucked the paper into his notebook and smiled. He was pretty slick, if he did say so himself. Calliope didn’t suspect a thing.
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    Suspicious Activities/Mysteries to Investigate
by Calliope Judkin
    1. Tutweiler Treasure: Determine location ASAP. Collect accolades, glory, etc.
    2. Cafeteria mystery meat: What could it possibly be? Question cafeteria lady, aka Bonnie the Net.
    3. Bud Wallace and Laurie Madison: what are they hiding? Possible story there? CONTINUE TAIL.
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    Question of the Day
by Laurie Madison, grade six
    What would Bud and Calliope Judkin have to talk about? Besides plotting to find the treasure and cut me out completely, that is. Just wondering.
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    Bud fell into a chair next to Laurie in the cafeteria. “Success!” he said, slapping the music paper onto the table and smirking at Laurie and Misti.
    â€œSo how’s Calliope?” Laurie said, folding her arms. “You two have a nice talk?”
    â€œHuh?” Bud felt like he’d wandered into the wrong conversation. Or a minefield. Both seemed likely.
    Misti Pinkerton dropped her tuna sandwich back onto the plastic wrap. “What, is this an everyday thing? Every day, Laurie?”
    â€œNot every day, okay?” Laurie grumbled. “We’re working on a thing.”
    â€œOh, okay. If it’s a thing ,” Misti groused, picking up her sandwich and finishing it off in one bite. “I’ve lost my appetite.”
    Bud watched as Misti crumpled up her empty lunch bag. “Yeah, I can tell,” he said, grinning at Laurie.
    Misti glared at him and stalked off without a backward glance.
    â€œWay to go, Bud.” Laurie snickered. “So you got it?”
    Bud pushed the